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“You know you don’t need to have the answer to everything, Wilder’s just an asshole,” I whispered, nudging Knox’s shoulder with my own.
Sighing, Knox responded, “I know, but it doesn’t mean he isn’t right. I mean really, what kind of plan do we have? Don’t die?” I held back my smile at how similar the two of us thought, even with our completely different personalities.
“Sounds like a good enough plan to me. We’ll figure the rest out as it comes. None of us know what the hell to do and we aren’t expecting you too either.”
Knox nodded in agreement, but from the furrow in his brow and tightness in his shoulders I could see he was still putting too much pressure on himself. Unfortunately, I knew Knox too well and the feeling wouldn’t fade until this was all over.
“You staying with her?” Knox asked, nodding towards Halley who still sat on the floor, fiddling with her book as if it held all the answers, and I guess after tonight, it kind of did.
“Yeah, today was stressful and I just want to make sure she’s okay.”
Not only that, but I wanted to provide her comfort if she wasn’t. I hated any negative emotion given my affinity for feeling all of them, but I loathed Halley’s. I had an urge to erase the sadness and anger whenever I saw it in her eyes, wanting to replace it with the smiles I was growing addicted to.
“And what about him?” Knox gestured towards Madden, who sat on the couch, looking as if he had no intention of leaving. I’d had a suspicion that something was going on with Halley and Madden, but I hadn’t brought it up, not wanting Halley to close up on me. And now as Madden sat here, the same man who despised the company of others, I knew that suspicion was closer to fact.
“If he wants to stay and she wants him too, who am I to tell him to leave? It’s not my dorm.” I responded and Knox frowned.
I’m sure he was expecting a different answer and truth be told, if it wasn’t Halley, I probably would have a different one. But the truth was she had been alone her whole life and needed as many people in her corner as she could get. And if growling Madden gave her comfort, I wasn’t going to take that away. As long as she still craved my company as well, I was more than willing to share the spotlight.
Knox clapped me on the shoulder one final time, before leaving the dorm and the three of us alone. And although I had just admitted that I didn’t care if Madden was here, I suddenly felt uncomfortable, a feeling that was usually foreign to me. But shit, what did I say here? Are you two close friends or are you getting it on? I’m sure that would lead to a snarl and punch from the angry Shifter lying on the couch. Thankfully, I didn’t have to say anything as Madden spoke up, obviously realizing the situation we were in.
“Are you two fucking?” He asked crassly and Halley’s head popped up from her book, eyes widening as she took in the empty room sans Madden and me.
“Excuse me?” Halley asked, her voice high and her cheeks reddening.
“Just curious, sweetheart. I figured we’ve been beating around the bush for a few weeks too long.” Madden continued, looking extremely relaxed given the current conversation.
If I was being completely honest, I knew something had been going on between the two of them and although I didn’t care, I one hundred percent thought Madden would. Shifters were known to be territorial and Madden seemed to be the most possessive of them all.
Halley’s eyes shifted between the two of us as she nervously chewed on her bottom lip, completely unsure of how to answer his question. And I understood where she was coming from. I didn’t think Halley had hidden her physical relationship with us from the other for malicious reasons, but instead because she was scared, she would lose us both. Or she wasn’t sure how to answer because although we’ve gotten physical, we hadn’t had sex yet. Not because we didn’t want to, but sometimes the build-up was just as exciting as the act itself. Wanting to get this over with and wipe the stressed expression off her beautiful face, I answered for her.
“Something like that. Is that a problem?” I wasn’t big on confrontation, but I made sure Madden heard the warning in my voice. If it was a problem, he needed to leave, Halley didn’t need more stress on her plate than she already had.
“I’m not backing away and from the looks of it, neither are you. That good with you, sweetheart?” Madden asked Halley, still calmly leaning against the couch as if there wasn’t a care in the world.
Halley stayed silent for a second, eyeing both of us warily, as if she wasn’t sure if this was a trap or not. When her gaze landed on mine again, I smiled warmly and slightly nodded my head, assuring her this was okay. That if she needed us both, we were here.
“Good with me.” She finally spoke and I could feel the collective relief in the room.
Now that the conversation was out of the way, I made my way towards Halley and sat close to her, pulling her hand into my lap and squeezing, letting her know I was here. Immediately, I felt her muscles relax and I smiled, loving that I could help ease her worries by simply being here.
“How are you feeling?” I asked, knowing that although she hadn’t shown it, today had to have been a whirlwind for her. Not only would she be going up against the Hunters again, but it had all but been confirmed by the Council that they were actively trying to get her killed.
“Is it bad if I say I’m feeling mostly relieved?” She asked tentatively, as if embarrassed about her answer. She had no reason to be embarrassed but I had not been expecting that answer. Fear, worry, stress, anger, sadness, anything really but relieved.
Clearly Madden thought the same as he asked, “You hit your head during training or something?”
Letting out a large sigh, Halley threw her hands in the air, dislocating mine before responding. “I know that sounds crazy, I do realize that. But you need to understand, I’ve been running from an invisible threat my entire life. I watched my mom die after being killed by something unknown. And when I got here, I started to doubt the life Mom had raised me in. If there had been any point in us running, when we could have been safe in a community. And I hated that I doubted her, because I knew she loved me more than anything, but it was there. And now, now I know that she was doing the right thing. She left everything she knew behind to protectme.I’m just relieved to know that she didn’t die in vain. That there was a reason for everything.”
Her shoulders slumped after her admission and I threw an arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer. I couldn’t comprehend the life she had lived, growing up completely different, but I did understand what she was saying. I couldn’t imagine doubting my parents did anything but try their best to protect me, and now Halley knew that her mom had always been there for her, fighting in her corner and protecting her daughter as best as she could.
“It makes sense, Halls. You have every right to feel relieved that your mom was the person you thought she was. And I for one am glad she did everything to protect you, to lead you right here.” Halley squeezed me around the stomach as I spoke and I kissed the top of her head when I finished, needing her to know she was cared for.
“And we’ll keep protecting you. No fucker will touch a hair on your head unless they want me ripping their throat out.” Madden added and I couldn’t help but grin. A little more aggressive than I was, but I wouldn’t complain about someone else doing everything in their power to protect the precious woman in my arms.
The three of us sat in comfortable silence for a while before I felt Halley begin to doze off in my arms. Nudging her slightly, I whispered, “Come on Halls, let’s go to bed. It’s been a long day and tomorrow will be another.”
Still half asleep, she groggily stood up, her eyes closed, an adorable expression painting her face. Helping her towards her room upstairs, I felt Madden’s heavy footfalls on the stairs as he followed us. I wasn’t sure exactly what the plan was, but for now I focused on getting Halley into bed.
